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Posted by Kate on March 16, 2003 at 21:31:19:
In Reply to: Could someone help me? posted by Lizardfreak89 on March 16, 2003 at 20:00:56:
I highly recommend that you buy James Hatfield III's book "The Ultimate Green Iguana Manual." It will tell you just about all you want to know about raising iguanas.
But here's some basic information for you. Iguana diet is very important. It should be mostly calcium-rich greens like collards, mustard greens, dandelion greens, turnip greens, escarole, endive. Spinach, bok choy and most cabbages should not be fed in large quantities because they contain lots of goitrogens or oxalates. Also include a smaller amount of other veggies like snow peas, green beans, bell peppers, and winter squashes. Many igs really love the squash. Mine doesn't want to eat his salad unless there's some butternut squash slivers on top. You can include a little fruit, but it should be 10% or less of the total diet. Always keep a dish of fresh water in your ig's enclosure.
Equally important are proper temperatures and lighting. Iguanas need a basking spot where temperatures reach 90º-100º F. You'll need to get UV lamps that provide both UVA and UVB light. Iguanas need UVB in order to absorb the calcium from their food. Metabolic Bone Disease is one of the most common illnesses in iguanas, and it is caused by a lack of calcium from improper husbandry. Igs also need a higher humidity level than is usually found in people's houses. (Unless you live in a very humid area, and are not using an air conditioner. Summer here gets quite humid, so I don't use a humidifier. But in winter, it's very dry, and I try to have it running all the time.) A humidifier works well. You can also mist your ig a couple times a day, and give him/her baths to help with hydration. Also, don't let the food dry out, because greens and veggies naturally contain some water.
Igs also need large enclosures. A baby iglet will very quickly outgrow the 20 gallon tanks that many pet stores will recommend. A 50 gallon will last a bit longer for a hatchling. Some iguanas can reach 3 feet long, snout to tail, by the time they're one year old. Most won't get that big that quickly, but it's a possibility you should be prepared for. It's great that you have a whole room that you can set up for your iguana!
That's the basic information to get you started. Like I said before, James Hatfield III's book is a great resource for iguana owners. You can get it at Amazon.com if you can't find it in a local book store or pet store. Hope this helps you out! :-)
Kate
